Here’s a scenario…you go to a major attraction on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds. But guess what? That’s prime time for school groups, and the place is more crowded than ever! Instead, you want to go after 2 pm on weekdays, when the school groups leave.

Or look for special adult events. The Aquarium of the Pacific in California stays open until 9 pm on some days. Not only do you avoid the crowds, but entrance is cheaper after 5 pm.

Then there’s the big question: How do I avoid the crowds at Disney and other theme parks? It’s simple: Go when all the other kids are IN school, like the first couple of weeks of February, or autumn when school has just started. Granted, that’s not always practical for families, but it works.

No matter what time of year, avoid peak hours. Stay at a property near the park and you can arrive early, take an afternoon break, and go back in the evening.

If you stay at a Disney hotel, you also get access to the park one hour early and two hours after closing.